Prognosis

Iowa Sends National Guard Troops to Defend Meat Plants From Virus

Guard members will help with testing and contact tracing
Wholesale pork posted its biggest three-day gain in six years

Kim Reynolds
Photographer: Scott Olson/Getty Images North America

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By Stephen Joyce, Michael Hirtzer, and Jen Skerritt

April 20, 2020 at 6:11 PM UTC

Updated on

April 20, 2020 at 10:50 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Hundreds of National Guard personnel are being activated in Iowa as coronavirus sweeps through meat-processing plants in a state that accounts for about a third of U.S. pork supply.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said 250 National Guard members have been moved to full-time federal duty status and could help with testing and contact tracing for workers at plants operated by Tyson Foods Inc. and National Beef Packing Co.